Original subtitles

The Iceman stayed with Dush in power dive.

Follow the number one ace from the Soviet theater, Greg.

You have no choice. You go home.

The Iceman had nothing to do with your orders!

Greg belongs here, Dad. Not sitting next to some Hollywood starlet in a parade.

Sorry, we never got our things straightened out.

I know.

Now, as your new commanding officer, you will address me as...

...as your new commanding officer, you will address me as...

We are poor little lambs who have lost our way.

Ba, ba, ba.

These mosquitoes get any fatter,

they're going to need a runway to land.

It's disgusting.

But effective.

Hey, how come they don't have mosquitoes?

Don't you know they fumigate Hollywood soundstages?

You call this boy, don't hush up.

There ain't going to be enough blood left for them skaters.

Yes, sir.

Why don't they get him? No blood.

His heart pumps 40 weight engine oil.

Don't do it, Sam.

What?

I see that look in your eyes.

Don't compare me to him.

You're not even looking at me.

I've got great peripheral vision.

Never sneak up on me.

Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?

That's why I don't want you wasting time worrying.

OK, I won't.

I'm good.

Sam.

Bobby, what's the matter with you?

What really happened, Larry? Sometimes.

We'll take this morning over the slot.

There was 15,000 feet on my back.

All of a sudden, they had two zigs on my tail.

One heavy high, one heavy low.

They started blasting away.

They're kidding.

Yeah, hey, I'm just kidding.

We could never flam out like that.

We have a self-sealing gas tank sign.

We have enough armor around that cockpit.

It's just like flying a big safe.

Don't worry.

I don't think I want to watch anymore.

Do you mind?

Oh, no, no, no, of course not.

It's just me and my arm mask.

Here we go.

Yeah.

I said they're leaving.

No, I think that's getting serious.

I mean, you don't leave in the middle of a war movie.

Unless you're serious, of course.

Despite the mosquitoes, we enjoyed the war movies as much as the folks back home.

Maybe more.

I guess because Hollywood made the worst so simple.

Everything was black and white, like the film.

We were always the good guys with steely eyes

and square jaws fighting for freedom, mom and apple pie.

And they, they were always the funny looking guys

with weak eyes and silly grins who wouldn't

fight unless they outnumbered us 10 to one.

Yeah.

We liked war films.

Took our minds off the real thing.

Sometimes I get the feeling if you think I can't count.

I can't shake it.

Somebody give me a hand.

Dutch, dive, dive.

You're San Remo.

No shoot.

Combat reports on my desk.

Hmm, General, I knew Dutch a long time, you know, since, uh, since China.

That man was the best.

He was best.

Now it's you.

You are the number one ace in the Pacific Theater, Greg.

Yeah, well, General, I really don't give a damn about that, you know that.

I know you don't.

But the people they call him to,

they're concerned we might lose you.

Me?

They haven't built the Zeke, General, they can get me.

You've already been shot down twice, Greg.

Down, Colonel, but not out.

Listen, in the past month, we've lost Murdock,

Johnson, and Cochran.

Triple aces, all of them, or better.

Now how do you think that looks in the hometown papers?

Well, I'm sure they'll feel bad about that back home.

Oh, get him at Boynton, you know what I'm talking about.

I don't know what you are talking about.

There are people back home making sacrifices so you and I can fight this war.

They're working in coal mines, steel mills, aircraft factories.

The only glory they ever get is when they come face

to face with a genuine war hero who tells them he couldn't have shot down that zero

or blown out that pillbox without their help.

Now how are we going to do that if all our war heroes get killed? Face to face.

Greg, you're gone home.

I know I am.

Major, you have no choice.

You're going to spend the night six months in the

States visiting factories, making war bond drives,

talking to reporters, and enjoying it if you were smart.

Now I know you.

I know you, Boynton.

You're already thinking about the angles.

Well, it's not going to do any good, forget it.

Not if you want to get back into this war.

Now the Pentagon has already made it clear.

If you cooperate, you'll get re-assigned

to a combat squadron as soon as they get through with you.

But you throw one punch.

You get written up on one charge.

You embarrass the Corps in any way.

You'll wind up flying a stateside desk with a duration.

Believe me, there's nothing you can do about this one but smile.

How do you feel about going home at this time, Major Boynton?

Let me know, will you, please?

Come on, let's get out of here.

Leave me alone, will you, fellas?

Come on, just leave me alone.

Come on, will you stand back, fellas?

Let us out, will you?

Will you let us out?

Don't you think that you'll be able to walk right without the blast?

Will you, Major?

I think the blast is going to be able to walk.

Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, just one more, gentlemen.

May I, please?

Now, naturally, Major Boynton, it's very relevant.

He was reluctant to end his second combat tour so abruptly,

but he realized the need to personally thank all the folks

who were really responsible for his victories.

The, uh, defense workers who decided to build his Corsair,

who packed his parachute, who built his engine,

who put the relief tube in my cockpit so I wouldn't bust a gun on long missions.

Oh, Colonel Scott, it tastes terrible.

Huh? Tastes all right to me.

Yeah. Don't you know, I, uh...

This is about Laconia in Sydney last April.

We swore if one of us got it, so would the bottle.

Major Dutch Cockrobes.

Best damn squadron commander in the Pacific.

The Dutch.

The Dutch.

The best.

The best.

He'll be after you next.

Who? The Iceman.

Uh, I'd like to propose a toast to the black sheep.

Who's the Iceman?

B.M.F. 2.

That's right, you guys don't patrol the same remote sector.

Doesn't matter. He'll come looking for you.

He only hunts the best. Dutch, Johnson, Murdoch.

Are you telling me that this Iceman got all three of those guys? Yeah.

Must have 50 flags on his cockpit.

That ain't no regular Zizro he's got.

I mean, he's supercharged.

It's hotter in the Banshee.

Dutch couldn't shake him.

Dutch was good.

The Iceman just stuck to his tail.

Didn't fire a shot until Dutch slammed into a power dive.

The Iceman stayed with Dutch in a power dive?

He closed on him, Greg.

That's when he blew Dutch away.

Don't worry.

You'll get him.

It's gonna be pretty hard to do in the middle of the ticker tape parade.

What do you mean?

I've been ordered whole.

Why?

Buying 10, the Iceman had nothing to do with your orders.

Like Halley didn't.

You're shippin' my butt out here cause you don't think I can take this guy.

Well, I never ran from anything or anybody in

my life and I'm sure I'm not gonna start now.

Buying 10, you don't have a choice.

Your orders are to stand down for transfer.

Not for 48 hours.

Well, what about the Black Sheep?

They're getting a new CO tomorrow.

And if you're the kind of squadron commander I think you are,

you'll spend the next two days seeing that they hit it off together

and not go gallivanting around the South Pacific looking for

some samurai warrior to have a grade B western shootout with.

Isn't that what heroes are supposed to do?

Buying 10! Clear.

Right.

I'd have to spend tomorrow introducing the new CO and saying my goodbyes.

But still, it gawled me.

Somewhere out there, a hotshot was gunning for me and I was going home.

It was one of those times when you know what you're gonna do is wrong.

But you do it anyway.

I took up a heading for San Remo.

I wanted at least one crack at the Iceman.

I'd done some stupid things in this war, but this was a Lulu.

Here I was, all alone, 5,000 feet over the biggest Japanese

fighter base in the Solomons, looking for the Iceman.

Thank God he wasn't around.

My common sense finally overcame the anger and I decided to get out fast.

And then I thought it wouldn't be polite to go without saying goodbye.

There's gotta be something we can do.

Like what? I don't know.

Something.

Maybe we could refuse to fly.

Since when do you consider what you do to my airplane just flying?

Hey, Sarge, don't you understand that they're trying to send Pappy home?

You call it what make me laugh. What do you think this is, maternity?

It's the Marine Corps. The Marines get transferred and that's a fact.

Yeah, but we didn't expect it to happen to Pappy.

Hey, I hear a Corsair. Right there.

Pappy, where have you been? They said you left the Speedos two hours ago.

What do I need a nurse make?

We were just worried about you. That's all.

We didn't know what you might do.

You heard.

It's all over the South Pacific. Even Tokyo Roads is broadcasted.

Yeah, and we don't understand.

What don't you understand?

I have been ordered home.

How could they do that to you, Pappy?

Well, why are you letting them do it?

It doesn't make any sense. I mean, they can't send you home.

They can't? Well, well, they're doing it.

Well, something blackmail is something to me.

This is the best stuff we have.

This is the best stuff anybody's got.

They can't send you home, can they?

They can and they are.

Tomorrow morning, you'll have a new CO, and

if I were you, Jim, I would get a haircut.

But Pappy, I don't want to hear it.

What do I look like? A dead mother?

Now, it's been nice.

It really has been nice.

It's over.

How do you do it, Major John Duncan?

How do you do it? Stan, would you take the Major's bags, please? Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Welcome aboard, Major, but under the circumstances...

I understand.

You'll be doubling up with me.

I hope you don't mind. We're a little short of space.

I'll be leaving tomorrow evening.

I don't want to inconvenience you.

No, it's no inconvenience.

Most of the squadrons in the chief's pen,

that's our version of an officer's club.

I'll run up the rest.

I thought it'd be a good idea to have a joint briefing.

That way, we could ease the chain of command.

I beg your pardon, Major.

I know what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it.

But let's face it.

There's no way that I'm going to replace Pappy Boyington with those boys.

I mean, I know that, you know that, and I'm sure the black sheep know that.

The one thing I can do is gain their respect,

and frankly, I'm going to have to do that on my own.

So if you don't mind, I'd like to meet your black sheep.

But I'd like to meet them without their Pappy hanging over my shoulder.

Would that be all right? Sure.

It's the end of the flight line.

To the left, there's a sign that says sheep's pen.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh, Lieutenant, uh...

French.

Ah, Lieutenant French, may I have a beer, please?

Yeah, I guess so.

Thank you.

Gentlemen, Major John Duncan.

It's going to take me a couple of days to learn your names.

I hope you'll bear with me till that time.

Thanks.

Who's the exec? Larry.

Larry?

Captain Larry Casey.

I'm nearly 20, Major, and yes, I look young,

but the proof is in my packet, which I'm sure you'll check.

You can bet on that, sir.

Where is Captain Casey?

It's not around. He's probably over at the radio shack.

That is a kangaroo, isn't it?

Harry? Harry the Rocco Shaughnessy?

Of course he's a kangaroo.

Where's the duty officer?

You do have a duty roster, don't you?

A duty roster?

Nah, I think we got one of them around here somewhere.

Wouldn't the duty roster be over at operations?

You know, that could be why I can't find it.

Lieutenant, uh... You can call me Jerry.

Oh, thank you, Jerry. Would you mind running over to operations

and getting me a duty roster, please? Sure.

Where's operations?

Isn't that where the radio's there?

That's the radio shack.

What about the tent that got blown away in the air raid?

Which one?

The one with the still in it.

Was that operations?

That was the field kitchen, the mud marines left.

I knew there was one here somewhere.

A duty roster, sir.

Thank you.

This must be the operation shack.

You know, you're right.

I remember the first day we got here, there was

distinctly a sign over that door saying operations.

This duty roster is four months old.

It also belongs to another squadron.

Well, we're a little relaxed around here, sir.

You'll get used to it.

Yeah.

Was that, uh... That's him. That's Pappy's replacement.

Hey, nobody can replace Pappy.

Maybe not, but he seemed like a nice guy.

He's too easy.

I got no respect for Major.

Who's that easy?

When a superior officer comes in the room,

you will come to attention!

Ten hut!

Ten hut!

My name is Major Duncan.

Now, as your new commanding officer,

you will address me as Major?

Major Duncan?

Or sir?

Is that clear? Yeah.

Is that clear? Yes, sir.

I can't hear you.

Yes, sir.

I still can't hear you.

Yes, sir.

Now, when you are not flying,

you will wear the regulation issue uniform of the South Pacific Theater.

No burlap bags, rags, or grass skirts.

Is that clear? Yes, sir.

Is that clear? Yes, sir.

Is that clear? Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

What is it?

Sam.

Get out.

How are you?

How are you? I'm fine.

They sent me over here.

Weedle out some supplies from this rear area.

Oh, they made you the scroucher.

Well, sort of.

How'd you do?

You'll find out.

That's what I'm afraid of.

Come on over here.

How are you, honey? Eh, okay.

What's the matter?

What's wrong?

It's the black sheep.

The black sheep?

If one of those misbegotten flyboys

has tried anything... Dad, unfortunately, that's not the problem.

They've been perfect, gentlemen.

Unfortunately?

Well, look, I need your help.

Nave it.

Stop Greg Boyington's transfer.

That's not playing fair, Sam.

He's needed here.

The black sheep are so shook up, they're liable

to shoot each other down instead of the enemy.

Orders are orders.

Well, you're his commanding general.

Who takes his orders from Washington?

Greg belongs here, Dad.

Not sitting next to some Hollywood starlet in a parade.

So, that's what's bothering you.

Don't be a father.

Has that China Marine got to you?

What do you mean, got to me? Oh, all right.

Just a figure of speech.

You know better than that, Sam.

Look, Dad, I'm sorry.

I guess part of the reason I came here was for me.

But I really am worried about the black sheep, too.

Yeah, yeah, I know.

Well, Major Duncan is a good officer.

You know, he may not be a happy boy...

But he'll do his best to look out for them.

I hope so.

So do I, Sam.

So do I.

Gentlemen, I will not send a squadron any combat

until I know how that squadron flies as individuals and as a unit.

We have plenty of time before sunset for me to observe a squadron scramble

and your individual landings.

Captain Casey, front and center.

Front and center, Captain Casey.

What is this, the Marine Corps? Yeah.

Captain, I believe I just heard Lieutenant's Boyle

and French volunteer for the 2400 and 0400 watches.

Kindly so, accommodate them on a duty roster.

Thank you, gentlemen.

I thought he said he wouldn't take a couple of days to remember me.

You shut up.

Captain, you will observe with me.

I would appreciate your recommendations

on flight leaders, radio frequencies, and code names.

Yes, sir.

Uh, Bobby, take A flight.

Uh, Don, take B flight.

Captain!

I will have my officers in a military formation addressed by their rank and surname.

Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Boyle, A flight.

Lieutenant French, B flight.

For this exercise, set your radios to Blue Channel.

The Major will be home plate.

Much better, Captain.

Stand by for the alert.

Much better, Captain.

You shut up and content it.

You and I later.

The carbon tower, this is a practice scramble.

Repeat, a practice scramble.

It's on the alert in ten seconds.

What are you doing to my airplane?

It's called a top overhaul,

and it ain't your airplane no more.

Besides, they're just practicing.

They're what?

Major Duncan's putting them through their paces.

Them college boys are finding this man's Marine Corps.

You like officers with ramrod for backbones, huh?

I don't like no officers, but at least I understand that kind.

Oh, yeah?

Well, understand this.

This is my airplane.

Micklin, till I get off this rock, and I expect it to be flyable 24 hours a day.

I just pulled a cylinder.

Tuff, you put it back in,

or you'll be shelving up the head for the next 24 hours.

That's not a promise.

That is an order.

Where are you going, Stan? Door, Sarge.

Get back off that ladder.

Uh, how do we do, sir?

Captain, I've seen turtles hurt a fester.

A flight, you are cleared to land.

B flight, old angels five two miles south of the field until A flight has landed.

Then you may proceed to land.

All pilots be prepared to make a go-around if so instructed over A flight, Roger.

A flight, Roger.

Please tell me each pilot's name just as he's making his approach.

Yes, sir.

Cherry, your radio out?

This one down there will blow me right over that Jeep.

How about you? Me, too.

Oh.

First Corsair approaching, sir.

Lieutenant Pruitt.

Very nice, Lieutenant.

You can park it.

Lieutenant Boyle.

Lieutenant... Keene.

B flight approaching, sir.

Lieutenant Bragg.

All right, ticket around again, Lieutenant.

Who's next, Captain?

Lieutenant French.

B flight leader, this is home plate.

If you have the same crosswind problem as Lieutenant Bragg,

you will be shooting touch and go with him for the rest of the day.

That's very nice, Lieutenant.

And very wise.

You can park it.

We are ready when you are, Lieutenant Bragg.

Take it around again, Lieutenant Bragg.

Three bounces, okay, kick it up.

Well, you'd even bet on your own funeral.

If I could, I would.

Uh, cheap pens closed, Papi.

It's now operations.

Yeah, and that's not all.

We got to stand watches.

Watches for what, mosquitoes?

Not only that, but we got to eat one meal a day together in regulation uniform.

And until he qualifies us, the nurse's quarters are off limits, unless you're sick.

This guy's Marmarina John Wayne.

I'm out of here tomorrow in a transport.

But sure not.

If I were you guys,

I'd learn to deal with one Major John Dunk.

Everything ends.

Even Jerry's touching goes.

Well, I guess if I want something to eat,

I'm going to have to put on a clean uniform.

Why don't you do that?

Take a shower, too.

Oh, who goes here?

That you, Stan? It's me, Sarge.

What do you think you're doing, boy? Please, Sarge.

If you come any closer without the password, I'm going to have to shoot you.

You do, and I'm going to put you in a hospital.

What the hell is going on?

You're not going anywhere, and that's orders.

Now, you know you're missing an accident, but ain't nobody bothered to tell you yet.

All right, now wait a minute. What's going on out here?

I'm going to kill me a Marine.

As you were, Corporal.

What are you doing in officer's country?

I came to tell Boyington I put the cylinder

back in his airplane in case he wants to go for a midnight joyride.

Sir, Sergeant.

Huh?

I think he wants you to put a sir on the end of your sentence.

Isn't that how they do it in this man's Marine Corps?

Carry on, Corporal.

I'm a little surprised at you, though, Sergeant.

After all, you are old corps.

I expect it better.

The corporal's only following orders.

Carry on, Sergeant.

Scotch? Please.

Be a rough day.

I mean for everyone.

The black sheet.

How many times did you send Jerry around?

Was that Lieutenant Bragg? Uh-huh.

Well, at first it was a disciplinary measure, then his landings really deteriorated.

He must be the worst pilot in the US quadrant.

Actually, he's one of the best.

He really couldn't prove that by me, Major.

Oh, you've seen the records?

No, but I intended to.

I found most of them when they were up on charges.

Major, I'm very well aware of your reputation and how you put this zoo together.

Now, I don't know how you managed to build a combat record of this unit.

Frankly, I don't care.

But they're not my kind of Marine Corps,

and your way of running a squadron is not my way.

You haven't even gotten to know these boys before you started ragging them.

I gave them a chance to make the change.

They treated me like an idiot, which I am not.

Now, I'm going to put this on your doorstep, Major.

They have no discipline, they have no honor, they have no esprit de corps.

Look, I commanded a squadron that had damn near

as impressive a record as your black sheep.

But they didn't need a drawer full of court martialed to go along with it.

Now, I did not ask for this command,

but as long as I've got it, I'm going to run it my way.

And the sooner that I can do that without having

their papé looking over my shoulder, there it is.

Navigation, air-to-air tendons, radio procedure.

Were we back at flight school?

It sure feels that way.

I never did like flight school.

Sir? Excuse me, sir.

You know, this evening, Major Boynton is leaving on the transport.

We were sort of thinking about throwing a kind of a going away party.

Get to the point, Captain.

Yes, sir.

I was wondering if the Major could see his

way clear to release the squadron early today.

Are you suggesting that I do not keep Lieutenant Bragg out all day?

Yes, sir, or any of us.

I see.

For your information, Captain, I am flying to Espritos

today for a meeting so he can have your bash and I'll be out of your hair.

How's that? Thank you, sir.

I mean for not keeping us out all day.

Captain, I know exactly what you mean.

Yes, sir.

Oh!

You wouldn't leave before the party, would you?

Why not?

Maybe because some people who love you around here forgot a Reno's wet reason.

Thought it would be nice way to say goodbye.

Sam, have you ever been to one of those parties?

Well, everybody tells everyone else

this is the best squadron they've ever flown with.

You're the best wingman I ever had.

And a group of guys have never been closer.

Somebody makes a stupid promise that after the war

they're gonna meet in San Francisco or Times Square or someplace.

It's a place you know they'll never meet.

And finally, mercifully, it's over.

But not until everyone's crying in their beer.

No, no thanks.

If I want to water down booze, I'll get up in some clique joint on Lou.

You really feel that way, huh? I've seen Sam.

I'm sorry we never got our things straightened out.

If you hadn't been anybody, but... But the general's daughter? No, no.

His rank had nothing to do with it.

I know.

Stand still, that poor move.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

Not waiting around for the passport, huh?

Nah, I can ferry my plane back.

You're going to miss a hell of a party.

Yeah.

I'll tell you, if you see better, you're able.

Tell Andy Micklin it's still over.

Clear!

Clear! Attention.

Attention all personnel.

Major Greg Blangton is now leaving.

Tower, this is Black Sheep 1. I'm ready for takeoff.

Stand by one.

Black Sheep 1, clear for takeoff.

Good luck, baby.

What do you mean they are not combat ready?

Just that, sir, the Black Sheep are not ready for combat.

Major, you are talking about one of the hottest outfits in the South Pacific.

They have one of the best records out here.

How can they not be ready?

Sir, I don't know anything about what they've done in the past.

I can only tell you that right now it is all they can do

to go up and come down without running into each other.

Major, you will order the 214 to fly the missions assigned to them, and that is that.

No, sir, I will not.

Marine Corps Regulation 275 Article 12 clearly states

that the commander of a unit is the sole

determiner of the combat-ready status of said unit.

Now you can replace me, Colonel.

But according to Marine Corps Regulations,

I am telling you the Black Sheep are not combat ready.

Major, to hell with regulations!

There is a war going on!

Colonel, you said that?

Colonel, I'm gonna buy you a drink.

Two more on me.

You know, I'm beginning to think you're right about the taste of this scotch.

Well, by an hour you'll be off, huh?

This next song is for Major Greg Boynton,

or as his Black Sheep call him, Pappy.

Too bad you're going home.

The Iceman was looking forward to meeting you.

But don't worry.

The way America's losing this war,

he'll get another chance somewhere over sunny California.

God, which is worse, the Iceman or her?

I could kiss him both.

What?

How many air victories does Duncan have? Eight.

No, Greg, no, that will not work.

It has got to be you.

You are the leading ace in this theater,

and it has got to be you.

Does it?

Who would you rather send to Washington?

Me?

Or the ace that shot down the Iceman?

You know, this stuff isn't so bad.

Okay, Rock.

Are you all right, Rock?

Don't hurt the dog, Rock.

Hey, what's with them? I don't know.

Think it's an air raid, Sarge?

Hey, Pappy, just call in, I'll find him!

I knew you'd be back, Pappy. I told everybody.

Yeah, but you bet on it, boy.

You bet on it, all right.

Yeah.

Hey, Micklin.

Yeah.

Find the hottest bird we've got.

I want you to soup it up until it'll beat anything in the South Pacific.

I don't care if you blow an engine.

It only has to fly one mission.

Are you nuts?

Just do it, Micklin.

What hot shot's gonna fly it?

The hell I will.

I am offering you a choice between a promotion.

Maybe the Navy Cross.

Certainly a trip back to the States.

We're flying the next six months with...

With them.

What's it gonna be?

Convincing Major's not gonna go along wasn't half as hard as I thought it'd be.

I mean, a couple of days with a black sheep.

He was ready for anything.

If my plan worked, I'd be back with a black sheep,

and the good Major would be winging Stateside in my place.

There was only one little hitch.

At first, I had to play cold meat for the Iceman.

Six, ten o'clock, Pappy.

Okay, you mean hats? Let's go.

Pappy's eight, seven o'clock.

It's the Iceman.

You can't shake this guy.

Die! Die! Duncan! Welcome's home.

It's newest hero.

Lieutenant Colonel John Duncan of the Marine Corps' famous Black Sheep Squadron.

While their permanent squadron leader, Major Greg Boynton,

was assigned temporary duty on the Cerritos Marcos,

Major Duncan and B.M.F.

214, on a series of daring fighter sweeps deep into the Solomon's slot.

I'm number three... Daring shooting.

There's my supernup, that engine has done it.

That's right, Sarge. That's right.

I'll bet five bucks they'd pin a medal on that guy.

Gee, they'd pin the medal on the guy.

What did I tell you?

Hey, Pappy, weren't they filling this in Hollywood?

Mrs. Roosevelt formally congratulated him on his last and most famous victory,

but on the 23rd of August, while flying top cover for his men,

he shut down Japan's greatest ace, Captain Okurunishi,

known throughout the South Pacific as the Iceman.

Didn't Hollywood get that guy last week?

Hollywood got that guy last week.